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Why I Make: Film Series

Jahday Ford - Glassblower from the UK British Council

British Council

Jahday Ford - Glassblower from the UK
Fern Chua - creative director specialising in batik from Malaysia British Council

British Council

Fern Chua - creative director specialising in batik from Malaysia
Gabriela Martinez Ortiz - textile artist specialising in embroidery from Mexico British Council

British Council

Gabriela Martinez Ortiz - textile artist specialising in embroidery from Mexico
Cleopatra Cosulet - jewellery designer and maker from Romania British Council

British Council

Cleopatra Cosulet - jewellery designer and maker from Romania
PiN - homeware designer working with scrap metal from Thailand British Council

British Council

PiN - homeware designer working with scrap metal from Thailand
Patrick Cabral - creative director specialising in paper cutting from the Philippines British Council

British Council

Patrick Cabral - creative director specialising in paper cutting from the Philippines

Step inside the studios of craft practitioners from around the world in our film series for Crafting Futures. From embroidery in Mexico to glassblowing in the UK and batik in Malaysia, find inspiration in the stories and work of these practitioners as they tell us, 'Why I Make'.

We commissioned this film series to celebrate craft and share maker's stories from around the globe; to inspire us and to show the value of craft in our history, culture and world today.

We release these films as our world and everyday life has changed dramatically due to Coronavirus. The purpose of these films now feels more important than ever. We want to support craft practitioners who will be suffering the impact of this crisis and we hope to inspire you while at home. With many of us in isolation and living at a slower pace, craft can offer us some welcome relief and hope.

Click on the pages below to view each of the films, or find the full series on our YouTube channel here.


How can you get involved? #WhyIMake

Share these films to help celebrate craft and support the work of these talented practitioners.

We want to hear from you. Share your story if you’re a craft practitioner, or if you’ve taken up a craft; tell us why you make. #WhyIMake


Feeling inspired or looking for further support?

We've included links focusing on each of the crafts featured on the webpages below.

The Crafts Council, one of our UK Crafting Futures partners, has a wealth of advice and resources for craft practitioners and links to online craft tutorials for all ages.